How Your Furnace Can Spark Your Allergies

Have you ever caught when you start your furnace for the first time in the fall, you’re sneezing more than usual? While spring allergies often get a worse reputation, fall allergies are still very typical and many people struggle with them. For some, fall allergies can be even worse than spring thanks to colder temperatures impairing our immune systems and from cranking up our heating. This may leave you wondering, can furnaces make allergies worse in Voorhees, or even trigger them?

While furnaces can’t cause allergies, they sometimes make them worse. How? During the hotter months, dust, dander and other pollutants can collect in heating ducts. When the cooler temperatures begin and we switch our heat on for the first time, all those allergens are now circulated through the ventilation and circulate within our residences. Fortunately, there are things you can do to keep your furnace from irritating your allergies.

How to Keep Your Furnace from Worsening Your Allergies

1. Change Your HVAC Filter. Frequently replacing your filters is one of the best tasks you can perform to minimize your allergies at any time of the year. Clean filters are ideal for catching the allergens in your house’s air, helping to keep you breathing easy.
2. Dust Your Air Ducts. Not only do particulates harbor in your HVAC filters, but in your vents as well. An air duct cleaning may help minimize allergy symptoms and help your HVAC system perform more efficiently. When you request an air duct cleaning, technicians review and clean components such as your supply/return ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers.
3. Keep Your Furnace in Good Working Order. Adequate HVAC maintenance and scheduled checkups are another easy way to both boost your residence’s air quality and keep your furnace performing as effectively as possible. Prior to switching your furnace on for the first time, it tends to help to have an HVAC tech complete a maintenance checkup to ensure your filters and air ducts are clean and everything else is in excellent shape.

Allergies and recurring illness can be frustrating, and it can be difficult to discover what’s creating or triggering them. Here are some common FAQs, including answers and ideas that might help.

Is Forced Air Bad for Allergies?

Allergy sufferers are typically told that forced air heating might affect your allergies even more. Forced air systems can push allergens through the air, resulting in you breathing them in more often than if you owned a radiant heating system. While it’s correct forced air systems may make your allergies more severe, that is only if you avoid proper upkeep of your furnace. Other than the tasks we listed previously, you can also:

• Dust and vacuum your house often. If there aren’t dust, dander or mold spore particles to clog your air ducts, your air system can’t carry them into the air, and you can’t inhale them. Some extra cleaning tips involve:
  • Make sure your vacuum has a HEPA filter.
  • Dust prior to vacuuming.
  • Clean your curtains regularly, as they are a frequent collector of allergens.
  • Make sure to clean behind and under furniture.
• Watch your house’s moisture levels. Increased humidity levels can also contribute to more severe allergies. Humidity causes mold growth and dust mites. Getting a dehumidifier with your HVAC system keeps moisture levels under control and your indoor air quality much healthier.

What is the Best Furnace Filter for Allergies?

Generally, HEPA filters are ideal if you or someone in your family suffers from allergies. HEPA filters are rated to take out 99.97 to 99.99% of particles, including dust, pollen and dirt. These filters have a MERV rating of 17-21, depending on the brand or filter material. This rating illustrates how successfully a filter can clean pollutants from the air. As a result of their high-efficiency filtration construction, HEPA filters are deep and can limit airflow. It’s beneficial to contact Atmostemp Service Experts to ensure your heating and cooling system can perform right with these high efficiency filters.

Can Dirty Filters or Air Ducts Make Me Sick?

Clogged filters can trap particles and allow poor quality air to recirculate. This also applies to dirty ductwork. If you inhale these particles it can produce sneezing, coughing or other asthma-related problems, depending on your sensitivity.

It’s recommended to swap out your HVAC filter after 30-60 days, but here are some indications you may need to more regularly:

• It’s taking longer for your system to cool or heat your home.
• You discover more dust in your home.
• Heating and cooling costs are rising with no apparent reason.
• Your allergies are popping up more often.

Clues your air ducts require cleaning include:

• The metal is coated in dust.
• Dirty supply and return vents.
• Mold in your furnace, air conditioner, heat pump or air handler.
• Dust coming from your vents when your HVAC system is working.
• Your home is frequently dusty, regardless of frequent cleaning.

Your health and comfort are our greatest priority at Atmostemp Service Experts. Whether it’s furnace repair right away.